Choose councillors wisely, urges Crouch

Shadow Minister for Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch is calling on ratepayers of the Central Coast to choose wisely in the September 14 council election and said this year’s vote counted more than ever before.

“After four years of administration, the Central Coast Council elections will be decisive for the future of our region,” he said.

“Ratepayers have made it clear that they expect accountability, transparency and honesty from the new elected council with genuine community-minded individuals working together for our region.

“We absolutely cannot afford to return to the previous dysfunction and incompetence of the previous council, which was plagued by individuals who held our region back for their own special interests.”

Crouch expressed concern that at least two former sacked councillors were running as number one candidate on their respective tickets and encouraged the community to not reward them with their vote.

“Any candidate who sat on Central Coast Council as a councillor was part of the chaos and dysfunction of the previous Council and I would strongly encourage the community to vote for anyone but those individuals,” he said.

“In these difficult financial times it is more important than ever that the elected councillors stay focused on the serious job at hand and are also guided by the recommendations of the independent Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council.

“Key economic drivers for the Coast were held back under the previous council, whether it be the Central Coast Airport at Warnervale which will provide massive economic opportunities to our region, or the failure to adopt a dedicated strategy for mountain biking, one of the fastest growing recreational sports in our community.”

Crouch welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig that he intended to implement a Performance Improvement Order on the incoming council, saying it was a sensible decision to ensure stability for the next council.

“The announcement by the Minister will ensure that in the first 12 months, councillors will have to focus on the many significant responsibilities and issues that they will face after being elected,” he said.

“The Improvement Order will ensure that any decisions made by future councillors will not adversely impact the financial position and work undertaken in the past four years will not be lost.”